The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-15
"MILLENNIAL DAWN

The author of this work advocates the pre-
millennial advent of Christ. He labors tc
show in the first chapter the necessity for the
coming and personal visible reign of Christ
in order to the conversion and salvation oil
man, by the evident failure, as he claims, OF
the gospel as now presented by the church to
produce that result.
| In the second chapter we have an argu-
ment for the existence and character of God,
which presents no new thought, and is not
either clear or strong.
In the third chapter he proceeds to prove
the inspiration of the Scriptures, from their
antiquity and preservation, moral influence,
motives of writers. general character of the
writings, the pure morality taught, the sub
lime doctrine revealed, the prophecies and
the remarkable unity of revelation. The
argument is presented with force.
The fourth chapter treats of the epochs
and dispensations marked in the develop
ment of the divine plan. 1t is historical and
theological.
The fifth chapter discusses the promises of
Christ found in the Old Testament revela-
ton, and their fulfllment in the life, char
acter, work and teaching OF Jesus as the Say
Jour of the world. There is much of this
chapter that is new and instructive in the
application of the Scriptures to Christ
The subject of the sixth chapter is: sour
Lords Return-Its Object, the Restitution
of All Things" In this he states that Jesus
second advent is personal and pre-millen-
NAL, and as result sin is to be destroyed,
and the human race then existing to be re-
stored to holiness and happiness
In the seventh chapter the author treats of
the permission of evil. God did not cause
but permitted evil, and will over-rule it for
good. Sin is the result of mans free act.
The judgment day is discussed in the
eighth chapter. The author holds that there
are several Judgment days. The one has
passed, the other is to come; and these two
judgments stand connected with the first and
second death.
'Ransom and Restitution is the subject
of the ninth chapter. The ransom made by
Christ is the guarantee of the restitution. It
does not give man eternal life, but only
places him on trial for it. Whether it shall
ever be his depends upon his action while on
trial.
TIE tenth chapter is a discussion of the
two natures of man. Man is material and
spiritual, mortal and immortal, earthly and
heavenly. This two-fold being is a proper
subject of the saving grace of Christ, and can
determine the question of his own salvation.
The eleventh chapter treats of the three
ways: The broad way, the narrow way, the high
way. The broad way to destruction, the mar
row way of life, the high way of salvation.
The first is the way of sin, the second of obe-
dience, the third of repentance, faith and
submission to Christ.
In the concluding chapters the author dis
cusses the plan of the ages, the kingdoms of
the world, and the kingdoms of Christ.
1 have given an analysis of the work, but
have not attempted criticism. To those
who sympathize with the views of the author,
we commend the work as able and in
structive. To men of liberal, progressive
thought it might prove interesting as the
presentation of a not very common form of
theology. vol. limo. p. 351. Published by
Zion's Watch Tower, Pittsburg, Penn.
WILLIAM TUCKER.